Chapter 5 Aina gets angry.
“And so, the method to solve this problem is—”
During class… I couldn’t focus at all.
The reason was that letter I found in my shoe locker… Even now, it’s tucked away in my pocket, constantly tugging at my thoughts.
(“Stay away from Shinjo Aina”… huh.)
It’s not like I’m relieved, but Arisa’s name wasn’t mentioned… The letter only talks about Aina.
From the handwriting, I can tell it’s probably from a guy, but with everything that’s been happening lately, there are too many possibilities—not about who it is specifically, but because I’ve been getting closer with Aina.
(I never thought I’d get a letter like this.)
I always thought this kind of thing only happened in manga or anime.
Other than the letter, nothing else has happened. No real harm, no insults or slander thrown my way.
“…”
Just a prank, then…? Should I just ignore it?
I considered that for a moment, but the thought of something happening to Aina, whose name was singled out, if I did nothing… I can’t sit still. I’d never forgive myself if that happened.
(…For now, I need to resolve this quickly—find out who sent this letter and what their goal is.)
The goal is probably exactly what’s written, but… does that mean the sender likes Aina? And they know Aina and I are close?
(Could it be… those stares I’ve been feeling lately…?)
That thought clicks into place oddly well.
If that’s the case, have I been watched at school without noticing? It’d be creepy if they were spying on me at home too, but that bad feeling only happened at school, so it’s probably fine. Either way, I need to resolve this as soon as possible.
“Hayato-kun… what’s wrong?”
“Huh? Oh, uh…”
Sitting next to me, Arisa must have noticed I was deep in thought, and I made her worry.
Should I tell her it’s fine, or should I let her know about the letter? I don’t want to worry her, and if Aina hears about it through Arisa, she might feel unnecessarily responsible, knowing her.
“…I’m fine.”
After a quick thought, I told her I was okay.
But her worried expression means she’s definitely still wondering. Maybe I should tell her at some point… For now, I’ll rely on those guys—my trusty best friends.
(Hey, Jack… is this what I was worried about?)
Was this uneasy feeling about this letter…? I let out one of the biggest sighs I’ve had in a while.
▼▽
Right after lunch break started, I called Sota and Kaito and headed to the rooftop.
I felt bad because Arisa kept trying to ask what was wrong as time passed, but Aina, who stopped by the classroom during break, didn’t seem any different, so I was relieved for now that nothing had happened to her.
“So, what’s up?”
“This yakisoba bread is so good… Oh, what’s wrong?”
“Sorry for eating while we talk. And thanks for coming with me.”
They both laughed it off, saying not to worry, and I couldn’t help but smile.
So… I started with that and showed them the letter.
“That’s…”
“‘Stay away from the younger Shinjo’…?”
“Yeah… It was in my shoe locker this morning.”
I told them about finding it in the locker, how I thought about ignoring it at first, but how I couldn’t because of what might happen to Aina if I did… all of it.
“It’s creepy because I don’t know the intent, even if it’s just a prank. I want to resolve it quickly, but I can’t do it alone right away… So, if it’s okay, I was hoping you two could help.”
The moment I said that, the two of them, who’d just finished eating, sat on either side of me.
They slung their arms around my shoulders and gave me reassuring grins.
“It’s kinda timely, isn’t it? Right after we found out you’re close with the Shinjo-san sisters.”
“Yeah, yeah. And knowing you, you probably thought about solving it on your own for a second, didn’t you?”
“…”
Kaito’s spot-on words made me raise my hands in surrender.
“I did think about it… but I chose to ask for your help. I might tell Arisa, but since Aina’s name was mentioned, I figured she’d feel responsible.”
“Ahh.”
“Makes sense… But I’m glad you came to us. If you didn’t, I’d be like, ‘What, you don’t trust us?’”
Yeah… I knew Kaito would say that.
Just like Sota and I reached out to Kaito, he definitely wants to help me too… We’re not just friends; we’re best friends.
“Alright, let’s have a strategy meeting.”
“Yeah… but we’ve got no leads, no guesses about who it could be.”
“Right… Hmm.”
We spent a bit thinking about what to do.
Since finding the letter, I’d been casually keeping an eye out in the classroom, but I didn’t feel any weird stares or catch anyone looking at me oddly.
“Honestly, I’ve got nothing… But.”
“But?”
“When I got to school yesterday and when I left, I felt like someone was watching me. I thought it was just my imagination since there were a lot of people, but now it feels like it fits.”
“If you’re saying that, it might be them… But we still don’t know who.”
“Yup.”
I hate to say it, but this is turning into a real hassle.
As we continued our strategy meeting around the table, I leaned against the railing and looked up at the sky.
I know I have to do something, but despite my resolve, the sky is infuriatingly clear… so bright and hot it’s almost annoying.
“In cases like this, some people might pull away or set boundaries to avoid trouble. But I don’t want to do that… I know it’d make them sad.”
I’m keeping our relationship a secret, but even if we weren’t dating, I’m not weak enough to just nod along to a one-sided demand like this.
“Seeing you and the Shinjo-san sisters together makes it obvious. Plus, they understand your family situation… No way we’re letting some stupid letter mess that up.”
“Hell yeah—whether it’s harmless or not, this is harassment against our best friend, and it’s like a challenge to us. We’ll definitely figure this out.”
“You guys… Heh, thanks.”
We don’t have a solution yet, but it felt like we’d already solved it, and we laughed together.
Clapping our hands and even striking a guts pose… I was just so happy they were helping, and I felt confident we could figure it out quickly.
“Twenty minutes left until lunch break ends… Let’s keep talking.”
“Okay.”
“You got it.”
As we leaned in to continue, a loud clank rang out—the door swung open.
“!?”
“Who’s there…!?”
“Who is it…!?”
The rusty, creaking door made a grating sound… and the person who appeared was completely unexpected.
“…Arisa?”
Yes, it was Arisa who came up to the rooftop.
She was alone, without anyone else, but why…?
I wondered if she came to enjoy the view, but her gaze was fixed on my face… meaning she came here for me.
“Hey, you three.”
“Uh, hi.”
“…Yo.”
Arisa’s serious expression made Sota and Kaito tense up.
But… it’s true that not long ago, we wouldn’t have all been together like this with her.
We’re keeping the fact that I’m dating both sisters a secret… but, wait, does that mean I’m hiding something while asking for their help?
“…”
…No, there’s no point dwelling on that now.
First, let’s find out why Arisa’s here.
“What’s up?”
“What’s up… huh?”
Crossing her arms under her chest, exuding a “capable woman” vibe, she stared at me.
“You noticed I’ve been acting off since this morning, didn’t you?”
“Well, of course. We’ve been together long enough for me to notice. Aina’s in a different class and a bit less perceptive than me, so she probably didn’t pick up on it.”
Well, Aina didn’t come to the classroom much today… but if she’d noticed, it might’ve been better that she wasn’t around.
Sota and Kaito gave us warm yet slightly jealous looks, and after meeting their eyes, I decided it was fine to show her the letter right then and there.
“…So that’s what’s going on.”
The letter’s contents were short, so with a quick glance, Arisa’s expression shifted.
Not only was it directed at me, but her precious little sister was named, which clearly didn’t sit well with her. It was like flames were burning behind her, that’s how intense it felt.
“I get it now. I understand why you’d be at a loss, Hayato-kun, and why you’d want to resolve this without telling Aina.”
“Yeah…”
“Even if Aina knew, she probably wouldn’t be shocked, but she’d be furious about someone troubling you. She might even go wild in a way no one at this school has ever seen.”
Furious, huh… Part of me wants to see that since it’d be a new side of her, but we need to resolve this quickly.
“Before that happens, we need to find out who sent this letter, what their goal is, and make it clear that doing this won’t change anything.”
“Of course, I’ll help too.”
“Thanks.”
With one more ally, we got a little excited.
While going to a teacher is a last resort, since this is a somewhat delicate issue for me and Arisa, we’d prefer to handle it ourselves if possible.
“But with Shinjo-san helping, that’s reassuring… though won’t your sister figure it out soon?”
“Probably. We can’t fool her for long, so we should prepare for her to notice.”
“So… a volcanic eruption?”
“A massive eruption.”
Alright, let’s solve this quick.
I can already imagine Aina saying, “Why didn’t you tell me? Why’d you leave me out?” But I’m terrible at keeping things from them anyway, so if she finds out, I’ll deal with it then.
“If Aina finds out, it might stir up some resentment… This letter’s sender really caused a mess.”
“…Ugh.”
“It’s back…”
Arisa’s anger, which had calmed slightly, flared up again, and she looked ready to tear the letter to shreds.
She didn’t hide her furious big-sister face, but seeing Sota and Kaito shrink back, she pouted.
“Okay, I’m mad, but you don’t have to be that scared… Do I look like some kind of demon?”
“…Yes.”
“I can see it.”
Sorry, Arisa… I kinda saw it too.
It was like I could see horns sprouting from her head. I clapped my hands to lighten the mood and said:
“Even a cute, beautiful girl like you can be scary as a demon, so let’s solve this quick. It’s about me, but I’m counting on you all.”
“Hey! …Fine, let’s do this.”
“Y-Yeah!”
“Let’s do it!”
With that, our talk wrapped up five minutes before lunch break ended.
Having Arisa join the three of us was a rare sight, but she said she didn’t mind.
Back in the classroom, we got plenty of curious looks, but Arisa strode to her seat confidently, like an empress, and we laughed about it.
“Later.”
“Yeah.”
“See ya~.”
Parting with the two, I sat down.
Glancing at Arisa, she sighed tiredly, but her expression showed her anger hadn’t fully subsided.
As I stared, our eyes met, and she gave a small chuckle.
“What a mess.”
“No kidding.”
It’s not something to laugh about, but we shared a feeling of “bring it on.”
We’re not out to make the sender regret it in some harsh way—just to show that no matter what they do, they can’t tear us apart.
(But seriously… who the hell is it?)
I glanced around the classroom, but no suspicious stares came my way.
You’d think someone bold enough to send a letter like that might glare openly, so maybe it’s not a classmate.
(Is it those stares after all…?)
That feeling of being watched still lingers… It could just be my imagination, but if it’s bothering me this much, I should trust my gut.
When class started, I scribbled in my notebook.
Of course, I was taking proper notes too, studying diligently.
“…”
In my notebook, I jotted down where I felt the stares—the student entrance—and any place that gave me a weird vibe.
That feeling was the first time… at least recently.
I kept thinking during class, and before I knew it, it was break time.
“Alright, shall we talk a bit?”
“Yeah. Let’s get Sota and Kaito—”
“We’re right here.”
“Didn’t keep you waiting, but sorry if we did.”
Arisa and I jumped at their voices suddenly coming from behind.
Class had just ended, and I swear I saw them at their seats a moment ago…?
“Well, let’s compose ourselves and talk.”
The four of us made an odd group, but the vibe was serious.
We only had ten minutes, so we couldn’t talk much, but we huddled together to push forward.
We didn’t come up with any big solutions, but I mentioned the stares I felt.
“So…”
When I brought it up, all three of them paused to think.
“Outside stares aside, you don’t feel it in the classroom, right? Or in the hallways? Maybe it’s not a second-year.”
“Hm, could be… Wait, you believe me?”
“Obviously. It’s you, Hayato—no reason to doubt you.”
Sota and Kaito nudged my shoulder, saying it’s a given, and I thanked them, pressing my eyes to hold back tears.
“If it’s not a second-year, it’ll be even harder to find… Honestly, who does something like this?”
Arisa, irritated, started tapping her nails on the desk.
To keep her from damaging her pretty nails, I quickly slid my hand under hers to catch them.
“Arisa, calm down.”
“Oh… Right. Thanks, Hayato-kun.”
She traced my palm with her fingers, then naturally held my hand in a shell-like grip… She’s not even aware, is she?
Sota and Kaito didn’t seem to care…?
Taking advantage, Arisa kept her hand on mine.
“Why don’t we stake out the shoe lockers in case they leave another letter?”
“That’s an idea… but sounds exhausting.”
“Maybe not? If we keep Hayato-kun and Aina together as bait, we could lure them out.”
“This is getting serious…”
She said bait… But asking them to do something tiring like staking out feels wrong.
(If I say I’ll do it myself, they’ll tell me not to take it on alone.)
Is this a luxury problem or a real hassle? I can’t tell.
It’s all because of the jerk who sent this letter… When I find them, I’m definitely giving them a piece of my mind.
“Hayato-kun, can I see the letter again?”
“Huh? Sure.”
Curious about something, Arisa stared intently at the letter.
“…This handwriting feels familiar.”
“What?”
“For real?”
Sota and Kaito leaned in.
Come to think of it, Arisa tilted her head when she first saw the letter. It’s impressive she’d notice something about the handwriting. Us guys have no clue, but if she remembers, it’d be a huge breakthrough.
“…Where have I seen it…? I’m sure I have.”
Arisa groaned, thinking hard, but time passed without an answer.
She kept staring at the letter during class, careful not to seem odd, but sadly, no answers came. Her tapping fingers during class, showing her irritation, made me chuckle.
We hoped Arisa’s memory would spark, but even after school, she hadn’t recalled anything, and her obvious frustration left Aina confused.
“Nee-san, something wrong?”
“Even I have days like this.”
“…Hmm?”
Aina’s suspicious glance was hard to deal with since we couldn’t explain.
“Aina, I have some class business at the staff room after this, so you can head home first.”
“Huh? …Hmm?”
Aina glanced at me but nodded quickly.
“Then I’ll head out first! Bye, everyone~!”
Despite her suspicious look, Aina left the classroom easily.
“She’s gone, right?”
Arisa, in an unusual move, checked the hallway before returning.
“Let’s keep planning.”
“Yeah!”
“Alright, to the secret base!”
“Secret base?”
What’s that? I don’t know about this.
I was confused, but Sota and Kaito were hyped, led by Arisa.
We ended up back at the rooftop—guess that’s the “secret base.” Well, if that’s how it is, might as well get fired up.
“Alright, strategy meeting! Not just Sota and Kaito, but Arisa’s helping too!”
Clapping my hands, I kicked off the meeting.
We threw out ideas about the letter, reminiscent of lunch break. I know it sounds cheesy, but I was endlessly grateful for everyone’s help, silently thanking them throughout the discussion.
(It’s fine… With everyone brainstorming like this, we’ll solve it in no time—just you wait, you jerk.)
I glared at the letter in my hand, vowing to resolve it.
…But, well, my determination and everyone’s enthusiasm were sky-high… and we got carried away.
“Not just you, Hayato-kun, but Aina’s precious to me too. We can’t let this slide!”
“Hell yeah! We can’t let the jerk who did this to our best friend get away!”
“We’ll track them down and make them pay!!”
The three of them, excluding me, were getting fired up in a dangerous direction.
Arisa, Sota, and Kaito were so hyped up that if left unchecked, they’d probably link arms and start shouting.
That’s how much enthusiasm they had, but maybe they should calm down a bit…?
“…Huh?”
In that moment, I felt like I’d seen a ghost… because the rooftop door creaked open slightly, and there she was—Aina, staring right at us.
“!?”
“Hayato-kun?”
“Hayato?”
“What’s with that face, like you’ve seen a ghost?”
A ghost…?
I wanted to shout that it wasn’t just some ghost, that it was way beyond that—Aina’s expression was terrifying!
Arisa and the others had their backs to the entrance, so I was the only one who’d noticed Aina so far.
“…”
Look behind you, please!!
My silent plea went unheard, and Arisa and the others, bless their hearts, were focused on worrying about me, their gazes fixed on me… Meanwhile, Aina was just staring, her presence exuding an indescribable eeriness. Sorry to say, but she looked a bit like a ghost from a horror movie.
“Hayato-kuuun… let’s plaaay~”
I could almost hear her voice saying that…
But of course, when I’m staring at one spot in a daze like this, it’s no surprise Arisa and the others got curious. Finally, they turned around.
Even with Arisa, Sota, and Kaito’s eyes on her, Aina didn’t budge… but she was the first to speak.
“Hey.”
Her voice was bright… but her unchanging expression made it all the more terrifying.
See? All three of them flinched and jumped in unison.
“It’s here!!”
“Kuwabara kuwabara!!”
“Begone, evil spirit! Disappear, you creepy ghost!”
In order: Sota, Kaito, and Arisa… but Arisa’s words were the harshest.
“Hey! You don’t have to act like you’ve seen a ghost! And Nee-san, calling me creepy!? That’s not fair to your cute little sister!”
“…Sorry. You’re right… I was harsh.”
“No, wait, it was just a joke, so don’t apologize so seriously!”
The scary aura Aina had been radiating faded, and the usual cute Aina returned… but how long had she been there?
She definitely overheard us, didn’t she?
“Hayato-kun’s the nicest for not saying anything mean about me!”
Sorry, Aina… I did think you looked like a horror movie ghost.
Seeing her smile brightly and look so happy, I couldn’t bring myself to join Arisa and the others in saying anything… Anyway, Aina being here was completely unexpected.
“So~ what’s going on here? Weren’t you supposed to have some errand, Nee-san?”
“…Uh.”
“W-Well, you see…?”
Aina’s big, round eyes locked onto me and Arisa, and we faltered.
“…Let’s make a break for it.”
“Yeah.”
“No escaping.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Got it!!”
Sota and Kaito tried to bolt, but Aina pinned them in place with a sharp tone.
Blocking the door like a gatekeeper, she continued.
“Don’t you guys know why I’m here?”
None of us could answer, and we stayed silent.
Aina’s gaze shifted from me to Sota, Kaito, and then lingered on Arisa.
In the heavy atmosphere swirling on the rooftop… Aina finally revealed why.
“So, by chance, during lunch break, I saw Hayato-kun and the others heading to the rooftop. Then I saw Nee-san following you.”
“…”
“I wondered what was up, but at the time, I just thought Nee-san was curious and went after you. Then, during break, I peeked into the classroom from the hallway and saw the four of you whispering. That’s when I thought, Something’s going on.”
“…So that’s what happened.”
So she caught on way earlier than we thought!
Arisa said she’d figure it out eventually, and while we wanted to resolve this before she did, it seems our plan was doomed from the start.
“…So you knew.”
“They say a woman’s intuition is sharp…”
“Yup! You better remember that~.”
Aina struck a smug pose and stepped in front of me.
“So, wanna tell me what you were talking about? I don’t like being left out~.”
There’s no hiding it anymore.
The rest of us exchanged glances, and since it came to this, we had no choice but to tell her about the letter. At first, she was all smiles, but as the story went on, her expression grew even darker than Arisa’s.
“…Oh? That’s what happened, huh.”
And then came a voice I’d never heard before.
Sota and Kaito hid behind me, trembling, while Arisa pressed her fingers to her forehead, shaking her head.
(Tch, that’s scary…!)
A volcanic eruption was an apt description.
But Aina was still holding it in… like lava teetering on the edge of a crater, barely contained.
“A letter telling Hayato-kun to stay away from me?”
“Y-Yeah…”
“Who’s it from? You don’t know? Oh, that’s why you’re all stressed out?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Her voice… it’s so emotionless, it’s terrifying!
The cold, almost monotone voice she’d never used before sent chills down all our spines.
“Hayato, do something!”
“Come on, Hayato!”
The two hiding behind me pushed me forward.
Arisa shot me a pleading look to calm Aina down, and I steeled myself like a hero facing a storm.
“Aina, so…”
I put my hands on her shoulders, looked into her eyes, and explained why we didn’t tell her.
Her name was singled out, and since the letter was sent to me, I worried she’d feel responsible… As I talked, her anger subsided, but I still needed to apologize.
“But it’s true we kept you out and hid something important… Sorry.”
“No… I got too heated. Sorry, Hayato-kun… and Nee-san and the others.”
Though her eyes still flickered with anger, she was much calmer compared to her earlier outburst. Arisa and the two behind me visibly relaxed.
“…Phew. Now that I’m calm, I’m just like, Why? If someone’s got something to say, they should say it to me. Why bother Hayato-kun…? Oh, crap, I’m getting mad again—”
“Calm down, Aina!”
“Settle down, Aina!”
Aina looked like she was sprouting demon horns again, but she took deep breaths to calm herself.
“In… out… in… out… phew!'
It seemed she really calmed down, smiling as she turned to Sota and Kaito.
“Miyanaga-kun and Aoshima-kun were helping too, right? Thanks.”
“N-No, no big deal! Hayato asked us, that’s all!”
“It was a chance to repay you for helping at the shop…!”
Caught off guard, the two panicked. Aina tilted her head, confused by their reaction, but their flustered faces must’ve hit her funny bone because she held her stomach and laughed.
“Sorry, sorry, I shouldn’t laugh, but it’s hilarious… Were my faces that scary?”
“Huh?”
“Uh, no…”
Her pressing questions left Sota and Kaito flustered.
I was relieved to see Aina’s anger subside, but then I noticed Arisa had been unusually quiet.
When I looked at her, she was deep in thought, hand on her chin, as if we weren’t even there… and then—
“Ahhh!”
“!?”
“What!?”
Arisa let out the loudest shout I’d ever heard from her.
As we all turned to her, she said she remembered something and continued.
“That’s it! The handwriting on this letter matches the one from the junior who confessed to Aina!”
“What?”
“Huh…?”
A junior who confessed to Aina… You mean that guy?
I don’t know who he is, but I heard about it when Aina and I were… well, flirting behind the gym and kinda showing off in front of him, right?
“Hayato-kun, show Aina the letter.”
“Got it!”
I handed Aina the letter from my pocket.
After a few seconds of looking at it, she nodded, saying, “Yeah, that’s it…” Meaning, surprisingly, we’d figured out who sent the letter.
“A confession to Shinjo-san… I mean, it’s not surprising, but…”
“Didn’t expect to find them this easily… So what now?”
Honestly, I didn’t think we’d figure it out this fast either. It’s almost anticlimactic.
“Aina, you sure?”
“Yeah… I’m pretty sure. I wasn’t interested in the letter or the guy, but it stuck in my mind.”
“Well, that makes sense.”
Arisa nodded at Aina’s words.
A love letter is meant to convey precious feelings, and there’s no sin in confessing love… but I get that it wasn’t like that for Aina.
“A love letter from someone I don’t care about isn’t exactly thrilling. Plus, I’ve got… ahem! Anyway, I think it’s the same person’s handwriting, but we shouldn’t jump to conclusions. Let’s confirm it.”
“Confirm?”
“Yup. If it’s that kid, I’ll know right away. I’ll ask him directly.”
Aina flashed a cute, devilish grin and shared her plan.
It wasn’t anything complicated—just waiting for the junior to finish club activities so Aina could ambush him and get him to confess.
It was a given that Arisa and I would tag along, and thankfully, Sota and Kaito said they’d stick with us to the end… or rather, since they’d come this far, they wanted to see it through.
“If something goes down, more people’s better, right?”
“Gonna warm up my fists just in case.”
Kaito? No fighting, okay?
“Aoshima-kun, we’re not going to start a fight, got it?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
We all laughed at Kaito’s enthusiastic, straightened-back response, and we headed back to the classroom.
On the way, Aina stopped, so I did too.
After checking no one was around, she softly leaned into my chest.
“…Sorry, Hayato-kun. I know you’ll say I don’t need to apologize, but let me. This feels like my fault.”
“I figured you’d say that at some point. Nah, I don’t mind at all… If anything, I’m embarrassed it wouldn’t have gotten solved this fast without you… Should I not say that?”
“Yeah, don’t say that. It’s not your fault—it’s the jerk who sent the letter.”
“Right… Yeah, you’re right!”
When you think about it, this letter’s the root of it all.
I wouldn’t have had to stress, Aina wouldn’t have had to apologize, Arisa wouldn’t have been pissed, and I wouldn’t have dragged Sota and Kaito into it… Yeah, it’s all this letter’s fault!
“I’m gonna give that guy a piece of my mind like I never have before.”
“Don’t do anything to make him lash out… It shouldn’t come to that, but we’ll protect you no matter what.”
“Yup! ♪ Probably won’t come to that, but keep an eye out, my knight?”
“You got it.”
Aina and I laughed together before rejoining Arisa and the others in the classroom.
Time passed, and we finally faced the junior we suspected sent the letter.
▼▽
“…Ugh, what a hassle this guy caused.”
I muttered, letting out a big sigh.
Lately, it’s been nothing but fun… happy times stretching on forever, but this letter in my hand has me absolutely furious today.
If someone’s got a problem, they should come to me… Why drag someone else into it? Especially someone I care about so much, someone I love.
(…But I’m glad Hayato-kun didn’t push me away over this.)
I can’t help but think about it, even though it’s impossible.
I love Hayato-kun so much. Of course, Nee-san loves him too, and Hayato-kun loves both of us back… It’s not an exaggeration to say we’re practically basking in love every single day!
That’s why there’s no way any of us would ever push the other away, and yet this letter stirred up my anxieties. Whoever sent it committed a serious offense.
(…Hehe.)
Glancing back, I see Hayato-kun and the others watching from their hiding spot.
This whole situation is unusual, but it’s really strange to think that not just Hayato-kun but other guys are involved. Just a little while ago, we never would’ve been in a situation like this.
(…Alright, that’s why I need to settle this quickly.)
Lately, I’ve been sharing deep kisses with Hayato-kun, spending time together as always, and feeling my bond with Nee-san, Mom, and especially Hayato-kun grow even stronger—it’s been overwhelming in the best way. And yet, someone tried to disrupt that. I need to eliminate… no, reprimand them!
“Phew~! All done~!”
“Good work~!”
“Wanna stop somewhere?”
“Let’s hit the convenience store!”
Finally, the students finishing their club activities started pouring out.
Among them were the sports club members from the field, covered in dirt, and some were giving me curious looks as they passed by.
Leaning against the school gate’s wall, not caring if my uniform got dirty, I wonder how I look… Maybe like some kind of delinquent?
“…Oh.”
While thinking about how I must appear, I finally spotted my target.
He was walking with his friends, still in his muddy uniform.
I could feel Nee-san’s gentle gaze on my back, Hayato-kun’s protective presence, and the supportive looks from Miyanaga-kun and Aoshima-kun, who said they’d have my back as friends. Their encouragement pushed me forward.
“Hey, got a sec?”
I called out as they approached.
The guy who sent me that love letter looked surprised but was teased by his friends… Ugh, that reaction’s annoying.
“S-Shinjo-senpai! W-What’s up…?”
His flustered yet excited expression made my heart grow colder… Honestly, we haven’t confirmed he’s the one who sent the letter, but my gut’s screaming it’s him, and that’s why my gaze turned icy.
(…Wait, what’s his name again?)
His name… I can’t remember.
I’ve always been bad at remembering names of people I’m not interested in or don’t care about. It’s not about poor memory—my brain just decides there’s no need to bother. And I definitely don’t need to remember him.
(It’s getting late, so let’s wrap this up.)
I pulled the letter addressed to Hayato-kun from my pocket.
Waving it in front of his face, his expression changed dramatically, and that reaction told me everything.
“So, you did write this, didn’t you?”
“W-What are you talking about…?”
“Don’t play dumb.”
“!?”
Oops… I slipped into some rough language there.
I took a deep breath to calm myself and continued in a firm tone, as if to say I wouldn’t let him dodge.
“The handwriting gave it away. Why’d you send Hayato-kun a letter like this? Telling him to stay away from me… Come on, explain.”
“I-It’s…”
See? It’s definitely him.
He didn’t even try to deny it anymore, which made things easier, but to me, he’s just the guy who bothered Hayato-kun. Ugh, I don’t even want to look at him.
“W-We’re gonna head out…”
“Let’s go…”
Sensing the tense atmosphere, his friends scurried off.
Now it was just me and him… So, what’s he gonna do?
“…”
“You’re just gonna stay quiet? I waited this long for you, you know. If you hadn’t sent that letter, we wouldn’t even be here.”
“I-I…”
His nervous, fidgety demeanor was making me even more irritated.
As he seemed to be scheming how to talk his way out, my patience reached its limit, and I stomped my foot with a loud thud.
He flinched, and finally, looking resigned, he spoke.
“I… saw you, Shinjo-senpai, and fell for you at first sight. I sent you that letter, but you didn’t take it seriously… and I was frustrated.”
“So being frustrated gives you the right to send a letter like this? Couldn’t you tell I wasn’t interested when I ignored you?”
“…But that guy’s so pathetic! Showing off with you—”
I cut him off with another loud thud.
That stomp was louder than the last, and I’m pretty sure my face was terrifying—probably glaring like I was facing my parents’ killer.
“Who’re you calling pathetic? If that’s aimed at Hayato-kun, I won’t forgive you. He’s incredibly important to us.”
“Why do you care so much…?”
“I don’t need to explain that to you. There’s a bond between us that sets us apart from others—and if you try to interfere with that, I’ll never forgive you.”
In moments like this, I wish I could just say Hayato-kun and I are dating. It might not stop everyone, but it’d definitely cut down on jerks like this.
(It’s tough… I can’t say he is dating both of us, and I know I’m making Hayato-kun live a complicated life.)
It’s not like I don’t think about that… but that’s exactly why we need to support him. No, we want to be with him, all of us together, without anyone missing!
“S-So, are you dating him, Shinjo-senpai…? You were hugging him from behind on Saturday… and what I saw behind the gym…”
“Oh? So it was you watching him at the shoe lockers?”
“…”
Silence is as good as a confession.
That confirms it—those stares Hayato-kun felt were him. Ugh, what a total pain.
“I don’t get mad easily, you know. But right now, I’m really mad. You realize what you’ve done, right?”
“I-I…!”
“Well, we’ve never talked face-to-face, so I’ll say it now. I have zero interest in your confession, so don’t ever do this again.”
“!?”
The moment I said that, his eyes filled with despair.
That look doesn’t faze me. Whether or not I’m in a special relationship with Hayato-kun, the moment he did something like this, he was in the wrong.
But to make sure this doesn’t happen again, maybe I’ll let a little of my Hayato-kun love out to drive the point home.
“Hayato-kun’s my savior, you know—he rescued me when I was in danger, a hero who saved me even when it could’ve cost him his life.”
“…Huh?”
That moment is a bitter yet unforgettable, wonderful memory for me, Nee-san, and Mom.
I could never forget the moment Hayato-kun, with his pumpkin head, appeared like a hero of justice! Even when I’m old and forgetful, I’ll still remember it.
“That’s how we met, and once I got to know him… of course I’d want to be with him. Just being together isn’t enough—when he touches me, I feel so happy. You saw us behind the gym, right? I love him so much that I can’t help doing naughty things, even knowing it embarrasses him.”
Only he’s hearing this… Hayato-kun, Nee-san, Miyanaga-kun, and Aoshima-kun shouldn’t be able to hear.
“Y-You’re not even dating, and you let him… touch your chest…?”
“Hehe, his embarrassed face was so cute~! ♪ So, I hope that crushes your little crush fantasy. If no one was around, I’d be all over him like that—I’m pretty shameless, huh?”
That should be enough for him to get it.
If he still doesn’t, he’s way too dense. And if he tries anything else, I won’t hold back… but it feels like sending the letter was a rash move, and he probably doesn’t have the guts for more.
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“Alright, that’s about it, kouhai-kun.”
“…”
I slowly stepped closer and said:
“Learn your lesson and don’t do this again. If you try anything else, I won’t forgive you—I’ll make sure you pay.”
The moment I said that, he shuddered, backed away, shouted “Excuse me!” and ran off.
“…I didn’t know I could sound like that.”
It was such a low, cold voice—I kinda want to record it… Good thing Hayato-kun and the others were far enough not to hear.
With that voice and my intense glare, he was definitely scared straight!
“Aina.”
“!!”
My lingering sharpness melted away the moment I heard Hayato-kun’s voice.
The sun had set, and it was getting dark, so I wasn’t sure if it was okay, but I dove into his chest… Mmm, such a nice scent! Hayato-kun’s smell just hits that baby-making spot, you know? I love it!
“He… ran off like he was escaping.”
“Yeah, I said a lot~! ♪”
I’ll save the details for when I’m calmer.
Hayato-kun, Nee-san, and the others joined us, and I told them I’d settled things.
“I told him I wouldn’t hold back if he tried anything else, and he was terrified, so it’s fine.”
“Wow, you went that hard, Shinjo-san…?”
“But that’s fair, right?”
“Exactly. Miyanaga-kun and Aoshima-kun are starting to get Aina.”
But I could only say that much because everyone was watching out for me.
“Thanks, everyone, for sticking with me this far… It got pretty late.”
We agreed to do proper thanks later and disbanded for now.
Miyanaga-kun and Aoshima-kun hadn’t called home, so they rushed off in a panic… Watching their backs, we started walking too.
“I know it’s not right to say this, but seeing that junior run off like that was so satisfying.”
“Haha, glad you think so. How about you, Hayato-kun?”
“I… uh…”
When I asked, Hayato-kun looked a bit awkward…?
We resolved it, but he’s not happy…? Not just me but Nee-san noticed his mood too.
Seeing my worried look, Hayato-kun snapped out of it and explained.
“Oh, sorry, sorry. I just… Aina handled everything, you know? Not only was there no room for me to step in, but I felt like I didn’t do anything.”
“That’s not true.”
I cut in immediately.
“Sure, I talked to the junior, but don’t say you didn’t do anything. You decided to act, asked for everyone’s help, and Nee-san figured it out because you moved first, right?”
“Well, yeah, obviously. It’s about you.”
“Exactly. Just thinking about it makes me happy, and actually doing something makes me even happier.”
“…”
Hayato-kun still looked a bit down, but honestly, that alone made me so happy.
“And…”
“Hm?”
“Even if he tried something, I felt safe knowing you’d protect me—that’s why I could say whatever I wanted.”
“…I see.”
“Yup! ♪”
So come on, it’s solved, so stop looking so glum, okay?
With that in mind, I glanced at Nee-san before hugging Hayato-kun tightly.
Rubbing my whole body against him, I could feel his embarrassed, exasperated vibe, and it warmed my heart—he’s so cute.
“Maybe I kinda wanted a world where he flipped out and attacked. Then the legend might’ve returned!”
“Legend?”
“The Pumpkin Knight!”
“Oh, that’s good.”
Hayato-kun grimaced at the mention of the Pumpkin Knight.
“I’m kidding about wanting him to attack, but your presence made me feel safe. I bet Nee-san would feel the same in my shoes, right?”
“Absolutely. I can nod to that with confidence.”
After all that, Hayato-kun finally smiled.
“…It’s like we’re all supporting and helping each other. Thinking I had to handle it myself was arrogant. I feel like I learned our way is about helping each other no matter what.”
“Yup, yup! That’s the spirit!”
“Exactly… And this was a lesson. If something like this happens again, we just help each other.”
Sure, doing everything alone might be cool… but we’re a team, bound by fate.
“From the moment Nee-san and I decided to drown you in our love… and the moment you chose us, we became a team—so helping each other is only natural.”
“Just like we feel that way, you do too, right, Hayato-kun? If we’re one unit, helping you is like helping ourselves… Hehe, that’s just how we are.”
Our love is heavy, isn’t it?
It’s a forbidden kind of love, but living by instinct and feeling makes us happy… and that’s what matters.
“Alright, let’s head home!”
“Mom’s waiting.”
“Got it.”
This sudden incident with the junior came to a close.
Over the next few days, nothing happened, so it should be fine… After how I laid into him with words and attitude, his little fantasy must’ve been shattered.
I wonder how I changed in his eyes.
Does he think I’m some loose girl who lets a guy touch her body and chest without even dating?
Well, I don’t care either way.
Because I love Hayato-kun so much, I’m the kind of person who’s always thinking about having his kids!!
(…Wait a sec.)
Hold on, I thought.
I’m the girl who can’t stop wanting to have Hayato-kun’s kids, right?
And Nee-san’s the masochist who wants to be his slave, right?
So who’s the bigger pervert, me or Nee-san…? If Hayato-kun wants a naughty, perverted girl, I need to step up so I don’t lose to Nee-san!
“…Hehe.”
Still, Hayato-kun worries about so much… I think he needs to boost his self-esteem. People don’t change that easily, and Hayato-kun hasn’t changed either.
To me and Nee-san, he’s always been amazing, but if he’s worried about it, we’ll keep affirming him.
You’re growing so much, Hayato-kun… The more time we spend together, the more we need and rely on you. That’s proof you’re growing… Yeah, definitely!
So, Hayato-kun, you need to recognize yourself more!
If you don’t, I might have to force you to see it—because you’ve become someone we can’t live without! ♪
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